Enrollment has dropped at Immanuel Christian, an impact that is felt by its football team. Numbers are typically low for the 8-man Crusaders, but head coach Aaron Gage said the program has been losing the numbers game for the past few seasons.

"The school enrollment has dropped partially because of the economic situation — private schools cost money and the economy is not doing that great," Gage said. "On top of that the school enrollment has not had that many boys for the past four years. We've been low the past three years and it has just never really rebounded."

This season Immanuel Christian has a roster of 12 players, two of which are currently ineligible. And Gage said that this is the first season that the team has had more players come from the Opportunities for Learning program than the school itself.

"Just because we have the same number of kids this year doesn't mean we have the same number of players," Gage said, noting that the team's two freshmen are from Opportunities for Learning.

Immanuel Christian is depending on the leadership of four-year players Garrett Johnson and Paul Henderson. Both play on the defensive line, and on offense Johnson plays center while Henderson lines up at tight end.

"They're the cornerstone of how well this team jells and catches on. It's a big task for them, but they don't have a choice — they have to be the leaders of this year's team," Gage said. "Neither one of them are rah-rah guys, they're hard players. I've really asked them to step up and be vocal leaders and demand the same level of effort out of the other guys that they give."

Johnson said that this year's team has the potential to be better than teams from the previous two seasons. He doesn't believe that the Crusaders are at that point yet, though.

"Ever since a couple years ago we've been trying to bounce back," Johnson said. "If we keep up the commitment we should have a pretty good year."

Henderson doesn't see this year's small roster as a deterrent, and said his goal is to win the Hi-Lo League. He has embraced his leadership role during the summer.

"I try to lead by actions — just come out here every day and give my all," Henderson said. "It was a big challenge at first, but I had the other captains to help with the more boisterous parts. I try to give encouragement when I can."

After three years of playing a senior at quarterback, Gage is starting sophomore Drew Stucky under center this season. Though he expects Stucky to have growing pains in his first season at the position, Gage said he hopes the move will create offensive continuity down the road.

Page 2 of 2 - "He's a good athlete and I'm hoping that when things break down that he just turns into an athlete and makes plays," Gage said. "He's probably the most athletic quarterback I've ever had here and that gives us a little more of a weapon."

Immanuel Christian will keep it simple on both sides of the ball this season. The offense will be similar to past years, but a scaled back defense will feature only one defensive front except for short-yardage situations.

"If you make defense too complicated, you lose aggressiveness and intensity," Gage said.

Immanuel Christian opens the season Saturday, Sept. 7 against Trona at Cerro Coso. The Crusaders are moving all their 2013 home games to the college in an effort to cut down on water costs at the school.

Note: This article appeared in The Daily Independent's 2013 Fall Sports Guide, a special section that ran on Aug. 29.